SBA Announces FY 2018 State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Awards

SBA Awards $18 Million to Expand Small Business Exporting

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15:46 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that $18 million in funding has been awarded to 47 State international trade agencies through SBA's competitive State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), to support export growth among U.S. small businesses.

STEP is designed to meet three distinctive goals: to increase the number of small businesses that export, to increase the value of exports for small businesses, and to increase the number of small businesses that explore significant new trade opportunities. Expanding the base of small business exporters and making the process as easy as possible is a key component of the Administration's small business strategy.

"The SBA is committed to ensuring equal access for small businesses to international markets and expanding export opportunities, and ensuring small businesses have the resources they need to drive their businesses and local communities forward," said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon. "The STEP awards are an important resource that provide small businesses with the confidence and funding they need to thrive in this competitive international market."

Since the beginning of the STEP program seven years ago, approximately $138 million in grants have been awarded to fund export opportunities and increase the footprint of small businesses in countries all over the world.

The 2018 STEP awards will allow states to assist small businesses with the information and tools they need to succeed in export-related activities that are in line with the objectives of the program. These objectives include participation in foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as design of international marketing campaigns, export trade show exhibits, training workshops and more.

STEP awards are managed and provided at the local level by state government organizations. The program is managed at the national level by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of International Trade.

STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP) FY 2018 (Year7) AWARDEES

#	State	Office Information	Primary Point of Contact	Federal Award	Match	Total Project
1	Alabama	Alabama Department Of Commerce	Hilda Lockhart	$151,857	$50,619	$202,476
		401 Adams Avenue, Suite 630	STEP Project Director
		Montgomery, Alabama 36130	Phone: 334-242-0442
		http://www.madeinalabama.com/divisions/business-development/international-trade/	hilda.lockhart@commerce.alabama.gov

2	Arizona	Arizona Commerce Authority	Kevin J. O'Shea	$300,057	$100,019	$400,076
		118 N. 7th Avenue, Suite 400	STEP Project Director
		Phoenix, AZ 85007	Phone: 602-845-1217
		https://azcommerce.com/programs/arizona-step-grant/	kevino@azcommerce.com

3	Arkansas	World Trade Center Arkansas	Trish Watkins	$150,000	$50,000	$200,000
		3300 South Market Street, Suite 400	STEP Project Director
		Rogers, Arkansas 72758	Phone: 479-418-4827
		www.arwtc.org/STEP	plwatki@uark.edu

4	California	Department of Food & Agriculture	Jeffrey A. Williamson	$650,000	$349,999	$999,999
		1220 N. Street, Suite 400	STEP Project Director
		Sacramento, California 95814	Phone: 909- 556-6639
		www.californiaexport.org.	jeff.williamson@rccd.edu

5	Commonwealth of Northern Marianas	CNMI Department of Commerce	Mark Rabauliman	$150,000	$0	$150,000
		P.O. Box 5795 CHRB	STEP Project Director
		Saipan, MP 96950	Phone: (670) 664-3077
		www.commerce.gov.mp	secretary@commerce.gov.mp

6	Colorado	Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade	Laura Brindle	$324,804	$108,268	$433,072
		1625 Broadway St. Suite 2700	STEP Project Director
		Denver, CO 80202	Phone: 303-892-3858
		http://choosecolorado.com	laura.brindle@state.co.us

7	Connecticut	Department of Economic and Community Development	Ms. Laura Jaworski	$300,000	$100,000	$400,000
		450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 5	STEP Project Director
		Hartford, Connecticut USA 06103	Phone: 1 860-270-8068
		www.decd.org	laura.jaworski@ct.gov

8	Delaware	Division of Corporate and International Development	David Mathe	$268,096	$89,365	$357,461
		820 N. French Street	STEP Project Director
		Wilmington, DE 19801	Phone: 302-577-8467
		http://global.delaware.gov/expand/strategies-growth/access-to-capital.shtml	david.mathe@state.de.us

9	Guam	Guam Economic Development Authority	Matthew Baza	$150,000	$0	$150,000
		590 S. Marine Corps Drive. Suite 511, ITC Building	STEP Project Director
		Tamuning, Guam 96913	Phone:(671) 647-4332
		www.investguam.com	mbaza@investguam.com

10	Hawaii	Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism	Jamie Lumm	$450,000	$150,000	$600,000
		250 S. Hotel Street, 5th Floor	STEP Project Director
		Honolulu, HI 96813	Phone: (808) 587-2753
		http://invest.hawaii.gov/exporting/histep/	jamie.k.lum@hawaii.gov

11	Idaho	Idaho Department of Commerce	Tina Salisbury	$600,000	$200,000	$800,000
		700 W State Street	STEP Project Director
		P.O. Box 83720	Phone: 208-287-3164
		Boise, Idaho 83720	Tina.Salisbury@commerce.idaho.gov
		http://commerce.idaho.gov/idaho-business/international-trade/step-grant

12	Illinois	Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity	Margo Markopoulos	$700,000	$233,333	$933,333
		Office of Trade and Investment	STEP Project Director
		100 W. Randolph, Suite 3-400	Phone: 312- 814-3116
		Chicago, Illinois 60601	margo.markopoulos@illinois.gov
		www.exports.illinois.gov

13	Iowa	Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)	Lisa Longman	$200,000	$66,667	$266,667
		200 East Grand Avenue	STEP Project Director
		Des Moines, IA 50309	Phone: (515) 348-6243
		www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com	lisa.longman@iowaeda.com

14	Kansas	Kansas Department of Commerce	Chang Lu	$200,000	$66,667	$266,667
		1000 SW Jackson Avenue, St #100	STEP Project Director
		Topeka, KS 66612	Phone: 913- 307-7378
		www.kansascommerce.com/STEP	chang.lu@ks.gov

15	Kentucky	Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development	Darlene Barber	$400,000	$133,333	$533,333
		Old Capitol Annex	STEP Project Director
		300 West Broadway	Phone: 502-782-1940
		Frankfort, Kentucky 40601	Darlene.Barber@ky.gov
		http://kyexports.com/STEP-grants.aspx

16	Louisiana	Louisiana Department of Economic Development	Jessica L. Steverson	$200,000	$66,667	$266,667
		1051 North Third Street	STEP Project Director
		Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802	Phone: 225-342-2537
		http://opportunitylouisiana.com	jessica L.Steverson@la.gov

17	Maine	Maine International Trade Center	Wade Merritt	$344,500	$114,833	$459,333
		2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 204	STEP Project Director
		Portland, Maine 04101	Phone: (207) 541-7408
		www.mitc.com/how-we-help/grants/	merritt@mitc.com

18	Maryland	Maryland Department of Commerce	Signe Pringle	$550,000	$183,333	$733,333
		401 East Pratt Street	STEP Project Director
		Baltimore, Maryland 21202	Phone: 410-767-3542
		http://commerce.maryland.gov/grow/expand-to-international-markets	signe.pringle@maryland.gov

19	Massachusetts	Commonwealth of Massachusets	Mark Sullivan	$500,000	$166,667	$666,667
		Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development	STEP Project Director
		Office of International Trade & Investment	Phone: 617-973-8543
		10 Park Plaza, Suite 3730	mark.f.sullivan@state.ma.us
		Boston, MA 02116
		www.mass.gov/MOITl

20	Michigan	Michigan Strategic Fund	Natalie Chmiko	$800,000	$266,666	$1,066,666
		300 North Washington Square	STEP Project Director
		Lansing, MI 48933	Phone 517.335.2854
		http://www.michiganbusiness.org/grow/international-trade-services/#step	chmikon@michigan.org

21	Minnesota	Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development	Gabrielle Gerbaud	$144,750	$48,250	$193,000
		332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200	STEP Project Director
		St. Paul, Minnessota 55101	Phone: 651-259-7489
		https://mn.gov/deed/business/exporting/export-financing/	gabrielle.gerbaud@state.mu.us

22	Mississippi	Mississippi Development Authority	Rose Boxx	$540,000	$180,000	$720,000
		P.O BOX 849	STEP Project Director
		Jackson, MS 39202	Phone: 601 359-3045
		https://www.mississippi.org/home-page/our-advantages/incentives/state- trade-export-programs/	rboxx@mississippi.org

23	Missouri	Missouri Department of Economic Development	Ann Pardalos	$350,000	$116,667	$466,667
		Business & Community Services	STEP Director
		Harry S. Truman Building, Room 720	Phone: 573-751-6605
		301 W. High Street	ann.pardalos@ded.mo.gov
		Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
		http://www.exportmissouri.mo.gov

24	Montana	Montana Department of Commerce	Angelyn DeYoung	$325,000	$108,333	$433,333
		Department of Commerce	STEP Project Director
		301 S. Park Ave.	Phone: 406-841-2783
		Helena, MT 59620	adeyoung@mt.gov
		http://businessresources.mt.gov/MIMAP

25	Nebraska	Nebraska Department of Economic Development	Susan R. Rouch	$500,000	$166,667	$666,667
		301 Centennial Mall South	STEP Project Director
		PO Box 94666	Phone: 402-471-4668
		Lincoln, NE 68509	Susan.Rouch@nebraska.gov
		http://www.opportunity.nebraska.gov

26	Nevada	Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED)	Gina Rodriguez	$150,000	$50,000	$200,000
		555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 5400	Interim STEP Project Director
		Las Vegas, NV 89101	Phone: 702-486-0587
		http://www.diversifynevada.com/selecting-nevada/global/step-grant	grodriguez@Diversifynevada.com

27	New Hampshire	Department of Resources and Economic Development/Office of International Commerce	Tina Kasim	$250,000	$83,333	$333,333
		172 Pembroke Road	STEP Project Director
		Concord, NH 03301	Phone: 603-271-8444
		https://nhexportassistance.com/export-promotion-grants/step-grant/	Tina.Kasim@dred.nh.gov

28	New Jersey	New Jersey Business Action Center	Eddy Mayen	$700,000	$233,333	$933,333
		225 West State Street	STEP Director
		P.O. Box 820	Phone:609-633-1182
		Trenton, NJ 08625-0820	eddy.mayen@sos.nj.gov
		http://www.njstep.nj.gov

29	New Mexico	New Mexico Economic Development Department	Edward R. Herrera	$200,000	$66,667	$266,667
		1100 St. Francis Drive	STEP Project Director
		Sante Fe New Mexico 87505	Phone: 505-827-0315
		http://gonm.biz/business-resource-center/edd-programs-for-business/international-trade/	Edward.Herrera@state.nm.gov

30	New York	Empire State Development	Lennox Ruiz	$700,000	$233,333	$933,333
		633 Third Avenue, 36th Floor	STEP Project Director
		New York, NY 10017	Phone: 212-803-2344
		http://esd.ny.gov/International/STEP_NYS.html	lennox.ruiz@esd.ny.gov

31	North Carolina	Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina	Mike Hubbard	$700,000	$233,333	$933,333
		Global Business Services,	STEP Project Director
		15000 Weston Parkway	Phone: 919-447-7751
		Cary, NC 27513	Mike.hubbard@edpnc.com
		https://www.nccommerce.com/trade/export-resources/step-program

32	North Dakota	North Dakota Trade Office	Simon Wilsom	$247,614	$82,538	$330,152
		811 2nd Avenue, N, Suite 284	STEP Project Director
		Fargo, ND 58108	Phone:701-231-1159
		http://ndto.com/step-nd/	simon@ndto.com

33	Ohio	Ohio Development Services Agency	Thien Bui	$700,000	$233,333	$933,333
		77 South High Street, 28^thFloor	STEP Project Director
		Columbus, Ohio 43216	Phone: (614) 466-4996
		www.IMAGE.development.ohio.gov	thien.bui@development.ohio.gov

34	Oregon	Oregon Business Development Department	Amanda Welker	$562,500	$187,500	$750,000
		775 Summer ST NE, Suite 200	STEP Project Director
		Salem, OR 97301	Phone: 503-229-6063
		www.oregon4biz.com/Global-Connections/Export-Promotion/	amanda.welker@oregon.gov

35	Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development	Katherine Skopp	$500,000	$166,667	$666,667
		400 North Street, 4th Floor	STEP Project Director
		Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225	Phone: 717-720-7361
		www.visitPA.com	kskopp@pa.gov

36	Puerto Rico	Puerto Rico Trade & Export Company	Maria R. Batista Santaella	$300,000	$100,000	$400,000
		159 Chardon Avenue	STEP Project Director
		New San Juan Building	Phone:(787) 294-0101 Ext. 2034
		San Juan, PR 00919	maria.batista@cce.pr.gov
		http://www.comercioyexportacion.com

37	Rhode Island	John H. Chafee Center for International Business	Linda Woulfe	$374,002	$124,667	$498,669
		Bryant University	STEP Project Director
		1150 Douglas Pike	Phone:401- 232-6525
		Smithfield, RI 02917	lwoulfe@bryant.edu
		http://www.bryant.edu/about/centers-and-institutes/john-h-chafee-center-for-international-business/

38	South Carolina	South Carolina Department of Commerce	Norris Thigpen	$360,400	$120,133	$480,533
		1201 Main Street, Suite 1600	STEP Project Director
		Columbia SC 29201	Phone: (803) 737-0598
		http://sccommerce.com/sc-business-network/export-services	nthigpen@SCcommerce.com

39	Tennessee	Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development	Leslee T. Alexander	$150,000	$50,000	$200,000
		312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 27th Floor	STEP Project Director
		Nashville, Tennessee 37243	Phone: 615-483-7293
		www.tnecd.com	leslee.alexander@tn.gov

40	Texas	Texas Department of Agriculture	Mindy Fryer	$600,000	$323,076	$923,076
		1700 North Congress Avenue, 11th Floor	STEP Project Director
		P.O. Box 12847	Phone: 512-463-6908
		Austin, TX 78711	Mindy.Fryer@TexasAgriculture.gov
		http://www.texasagriculture.gov/

41	Utah	Utah World Trade Center Corporation	Nicole Sherwood	$300,000	$100,000	$400,000
		60 East South Temple, Suite 300	STEP Project Director
		Salt Lake City, UT 84111	Phone: 801-
		http://business.utah.gov/partners/wtcutah/	nsherwood@wtcutah.com

42	Vermont	Agency of Commerce & Community Development	Katie Corrigan	$306,420	$102,140	$408,560
		National Life Building, 6^thFloor	STEP Project Director
		Montpelier, VT 05620-0501	Phone: (802) 272-1420
		http://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/programs/international-trade/grants	Katie.corrigan@vermont.gov

43	Virgin Islands	United States Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority	Nadine Marchena Kean	$150,000	$0	$150,000
		8000 Nisky Shopping Center, Suite 620	STEP Director
		St. Thomas, Virgin Island 00802	Phone: (340) 714-1700
		www.usvieda.org	NMARCHENA@usvieda.org

44	Virginia	Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)	Monica Sadie	$200,000	$66,667	$266,667
		One James Center	STEP Project Director
		901 E. Cary Street, Suite 900	Phone: 804-545-5763
		Richmond, Virginia 23219	msadie@yesvirginia.org
		www.exportvirginia.org/services/programs-grants

45	Washington	Washington State Department of Commerce	Mary Ferguson	$750,000	$403,845	$1,153,845
		2001 6th avenue Suite 2600	STEP Project Director
		Seattle ,Wa 98121-2895	Phone: (206) 256-6130
		http://www.exportwashington.com/programs-and-services/export-grant-loan/step-grant/Pages/default.aspx	mary.ferguson@commerce.wa.gov

46	West Virginia	West Virginia Department of Commerce dba WV Development Office	Enybe Diaz Valenzuela	$250,000	$83,333	$333,333
		1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Building 6 Room 553	STEP Project Director
		Charleston, West Virginia 25305	Phone: (304) 957-2018
		http://www.westvirginia.gov/step.html	Enybe.Diaz@wv.gov

47	Wisconsin	Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation	Monica Wahlberg	$300,000	$100,000	$400,000
		201 West Washington Ave.	STEP Project Director
		Madison, WI 53073	Phone: 608-210-6734
		http://inwisconsin.com/export/assistance/global-business-development-program/	Monica.wahlberg@wedc.org




			Total	$18,000,000

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster.

It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

PRESS OFFICE
Release Date: September 19, 2018 Contact: Shannon.Giles@sba.gov
Release Number: 18-56 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram

SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration

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